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www.thevillagenews.co.za
10 March 2021
LOVE A LITTLE LOCAL
HOGS bikers donate big to Hermanus Night Shelter T
he peace and quiet of Mt Pleasant was shattered on Sunday morning, 28 February when approximately 35 Harley Davidson motor bikes roared into the area on a mission – to visit the Night Shelter under construction in Malva Street, which they had been supporting for the past four years, and to hand over a cheque for the proceeds of the November 2020 Cape Seal Rally held in Hermanus.
for R65 000 which took everyone by surprise, especially in view of the current economic downturn due to Covid-19! The building and completion of the Night Shelter is totally dependent upon the availability of funding and to date the total capital expenditure on the project is in excess of R2.5 million.
When the Directors of the Harley Owners Group (HOGS) approached the then Mayor, the late Cllr Rudolph Smith, with a request to become involved with a local charity, he suggested the Hermanus Night Shelter as his charity of choice. This is where the relationship started with the HOGS, who then used their annual Cape Seal Rallies to generate funds to support the construction of the shelter for the homeless.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Hermanus Night Shelter Association (HNSA), the Treasurer, Ray Hartmann, explained that construction of the Night Shelter had required a leap of faith by the Trustees, who decided to proceed despite a lack of funding. Building commenced on 9 April 2018 and thanks to the support of the local community and donors, the stage had now been reached where there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
By means of fundraising activities, donations, auctions etc., they raised funds each year so that by 2019 they had already donated R110 000. But this was before the big reveal of the amount raised by their 2020 fundraising initiative – a whopping cheque
Ray was visibly moved when he first thanked the big-hearted bikers for their efforts, then the Overstrand Municipality, represented by Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion and finally the Trustees and building team for their hard work and support. According to
Treasurer of the HNSA, Ray Hartmann, receiving the cheque for R65 000 from Malvin Meyer, Director of the HOGS - CPT Chapter, which will go a long way towards helping to complete the NIght Shelter before winter. PHOTOS: Sue Raven The Director of HOGS - CT Chapter, Malvin Meyer, the feedback received from all those present on the progress of the project was very positive and he promised their continued involvement. The next priority will be to pave the parking area and access to the shelter
so that it is wheelchair friendly and to install cupboards where needed. This will be followed by furnishing the dining/lounge area and the sleeping quarters, and installing kitchen appliances at an estimated cost in the region of R300 000. To add finishing touches to the project such as gutters and downpipes linked to the grey
water harvesting system, electric fencing etc., will require a further estimated R100 000. It is hoped that the Night Shelter will be ready for occupation before the onset of winter 2021 but this will be dependent upon the availability of funding.
